Display device



April 7, 1954 R. s. MOUSHON 2,676,777

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Dec. 28, 1951 awe/who e Patented Apr. 27, 1954 UNITED STATES ENT OFFICE This invention relates to display racks as well as to book rests.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which is readily and quickly set up for use in displaying articles of sale, or the display of open books, and which can be as easily collapsed into a substantially flat form for storage or shipment.

Another object is to furnish a display device which includes a part presenting a supporting surface for the display of articles of sale, or that will support a book in the proper position or angle accommodated to the eyes of a reader, and which includes a pair of spaced supports for said part together with a hinged portion located between said supports for receiving the same thereagainst, and in providing an elastic means for maintaining the whole in a sturdy manner when set up for use;

In order that the device may be fully understood, the accompanying drawing is provided forming part hereof and wherein Fig. 1 illustrates the device in perspective as an elevation thereof.

Fig. 2 likewise shows the device in perspective as viewed from the rear thereof.

Fig. 3 shows the device, again in perspective,

as it appears when tipped upon its side as seen at its under side.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation as viewed in transverse section.

Fig. 5 is a detail in part section of parts shown in the earlier figures.

Fig. 6 is a detail similar to Figure 5 but slightly modified in form.

Fig. 7 is a' transverse section of part of the device produced in line 1-1 of Figure 1, and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the device in its collapsed form.

In the described figures of the drawing the reference'character l denotes a pair of spaced members of a triangular form, in this instance, these being of suitable light weight material, such as heavy paper, for example. In their positions for use in the display stand, or rack, these members stand erect and in spaced relation as seen in Figure 2, being each attached at corresponding edges to the inclined edges of a member 2, the hinging for convenience and low cost being accomplished by the use of cloth strips denoted at 3 in the first three figures, and also in Figure 7. In this manner the said members I may swing on their hinges in the direction of eachother. Preferably when used as a book rack the inclined member 2 may include an extended ledge 4 at its 1 Claim. (01. 248-198) 2 front lower edge on which the book is supported.

At the upper edge of the member 2 between the members I is hinged a flap 5 which depends from said edge between the said members as clearly shown in Figure 2, the length of said flap being such as to receive the members I in abutment thereon, preferably when the latter lie parallel to each other.

In the present instance an elastic cord 6 is stretched between the members I, their ends being suitably attached to the same as by buttons 7 Or other desired means. Instead of the cord, however, a Wire 8, as in Figure 6, may be employed and which may include a coil-spring 8', for example. In either case it is clear that the members I will be kept in firm abutment with the flap 5, the 'cord, or the wire, as the case may be, being always under tension, and to the extent, too, that if the flap 5 were not present as shown the said members I would be held closed upon the rear side of the member 2 as shown in Figure 8.

The depending fiap is also controlled by an elastic member 9 whose ends are afiixed to and between the said flap and the member 2 by buttons H), for example.

Due to the pull of the cord, or wire, thus always under stress, as explained, the flap 5 as viewed in the several figures is held in abutment with the stretched cord 6 which acts as a stop therefor which so happens in the present arrangement of the several elements. Naturally, any special stop may be employed to limit the movement of the flap in the direction of the member 2 were the device constructed in a slightly different manner, where the cord 6 might not be in position, as in this instance, to constitute the movement limiting means for said flap.

As constructed the device in one of the positions of the parts thereof is a collapsed one as in Figure 8, as has already been mentioned, the flap 5 having been withdrawn from its position between the members I, the cord 6 in control of the latter having drawn them toward each other and made to lie upon the member 2. This action is followed by the flap, naturally, due to the pull of its cord 9. In this flat form the device may be readily stacked with others for storage or shipment, for example.

To set the device up for use it is only necessary for the operator to grasp a member I in each hand and separate them in drawing them from beneath the flap 5 whereupon the latter will enter between them by the pullof the cord 9 3 thereon, said flap coming to rest upon the cord 6, as explained.

At any angle of inclination of the member 2 the action of the device will be as described, it being a mere matter of the form of the triangular members I as respects the said angle of inclination.

I claim:

A device of the nature described including in its construction a first member of rectangular form for erection at one of its edges upon a supporting surface, said member so supported being inclined at an angle to said surface, a second and third flat member hinged each at one of its edges to one of two opposite edges of said first member, said second and third member each having a normally upright position upon the said supporting surface for supporting the first member in its inclined position, a fourth member hinged at one edge to the first said member distant 20 from and substantially paralleling the edge of the same that rests upon the supporting surface, elastic means connected to and between the said second and third members and constantly tending to draw those members toward each other, and elastic means attached to and between the said first member and the said fourth member and constantly tending to draw those members toward each other, the first named elastic member having a position to act as an abutment for receiving the said fourth member against it.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Name Date 844,066 Warren Feb. 12, 1907 889,863 Tzschachmann June 2, 1908 1,601,997 Coss et al Oct. 5, 1926 2,054,098 Rich Sept. 15, 1937 

